Method of separation by altering molecular structures

ABSTRACT

Method of separation that uses at least one organic chemical reaction to alter the molecular structure of a substance or substances ( 102 ) so that a mechanical method of separation can be used to cause the separation of one or more substances from one or a group of substances ( 104 ). The organic chemical reaction alters the molecular structure by adding at least one atom to the molecular structure or by subtracting at least one atom from the molecular structure. The mechanical method of separation uses the differing physical characteristics of substances to physically change the place or position of substances to remove or isolate the substances from a combination or a mixture absent any chemical reaction. The organic chemical reaction and the mechanical method of separation are used in combination to cause the separation of substances that otherwise could not be separated by the mechanical method of separation alone.

References Cited

[0001] U.S. Patent Documents:

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,679 Jul. 7, 2001 Kreisler 210/710

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,119 Oct. 25, 1994 Stahl, et al. 209/B, 1

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,635 Apr. 3, 1984 Reinger 241/19

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,401 Mar. 1, 1994 Savisalo, et al. 162/4

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,914 Jun. 6, 1989 Inoue, et al. 208/251H

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,867 Jul. 5, 1997 Jody, et al. 209/164

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

[0008]Elements of Organic Chemistry, Isaak and Henry Zimmerman MacmillanPublishing Co., Inc. 866 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022—pages 137,190-192, 264, 268-274 and 331-333.

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION

[0009] This invention relates to the field of chemical engineering,specifically to a method of separation through chemical engineering.

BACKGROUND—DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART

[0010] Separation of one substance from another substance has long beena desired goal of industry. Since the advent of industry, commonly usedmeans of separating one substance from another substance or othersubstances have been mechanical in nature. These mechanical methods ofseparation are screens, semi-permeable membrane, specific gravityflotation, electrostatic techniques and magnetic attraction. Thedifficulty with these methods of separation is that they require one ofthe substances have a differential that will distinguish that substancefrom all of the others. There must be a difference in states of matterwith screen separation. There must be a difference in molecular sizewith membrane separation. There must be a noticeable difference inspecific gravity (density) of a substance if flotation separation is tobe successful. There must be an electrostatic value difference with onesubstance if electrostatic techniques are to be used in separating thesubstances. To separate by magnetic attraction, one substance mustcontain the element Iron, Cobalt or Nickel and the amount must benoticeably different from the other substances.

[0011] These various mechanical means of separation are not veryefficient or even successful for all substances that an industry maywish to separate. Mechanical methods of separation are dependent on theinherent physical characteristics of the substances that are to beseparated. These mechanical methods of separation have no method ofchanging the physical characteristics or creating new physicalcharacteristics of the substances that need to be separated. Animportant step in making these mechanical methods of separation moreefficient, or even possible in some cases, would be to have a method tochange the physical characteristics of the substance to allow themechanical methods to operate more efficiently or operate at all.

[0012] Patent documents refer to some of these mechanical methods ofseparation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,914 Inoue et al.—Method for removingiron content in petroleum series mineral therefrom is an example. Thismethod does not include a way to remove a substance that does not have amagnetic attraction as an inherent physical characteristic. Thisinvention is restricted to removing a substance that already has amagnetic attraction by using magnetic separation. This invention doesnot create a substance that will have a magnetic attraction so that amethod of magnetic separation can be used. This invention does notincrease or decrease the magnetic attraction of a substance so that amethod of magnetic separation can be used.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,401 Savisalo et al.—Method and a device forseparating plastic particles from suspensions. This invention isrestricted to separating plastic particles from suspensions usingturbulent flows and concentration differences. A screening device aidsin the separation.

[0014] This invention does not include a method to create or change theconcentration difference of one substance in order to separate thatsubstance from others.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,635 Reinger—Process and apparatus for therecovery of cellulose fibers from paper-plastic mixtures. This inventionis restricted to recovering cellulose fibers from paper-plastic mixturesby controlled wetting to increase the weight of the sheet of paperrelative to the plastic and then use abrasive forces to fiberize thepaper for separation through screening. This invention does not createor change the specific gravity of one substance in order to separatethat substance from others.

[0016] Organic chemistry books are filled with organic chemicalreactions that are available to a chemical engineer that can be used toform a new substance. Using an organic chemical reaction to alter asubstance to form another substance is called an organic synthesis.Chemical engineers do this to create new substances that will be usedfor industrial applications. Organic chemistry textbooks such asElements of Organic Chemistry present these reactions for no otherpurpose than to show how the specific reactions operate for educationalpurposes. Pages 191-192 discuss how an organic chemical reaction altersan alcohol to form either a carboxylic acid or a ketone. This organicchemical reaction alters the molecular structure of a substance. Otherorganic chemical reactions discussed in the book also demonstrate how toalter the molecular structure of a substance to form a new substance.The purpose for creating the new substance is to somehow use the newsubstance for some useful purpose. The purpose for creating the newsubstance is never to prepare the substance for separation by amechanical method of separation. There is not a method or process thatuses organic chemical reactions or organic synthesis to alter themolecular structure of a substance so that a mechanical method ofseparation can be used to successfully separate one substance from othersubstances.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,119 Stahl et al.—Method of separating amixture of plastics comprising at least three components usingelectrostatic techniques. This invention uses heat and/or a chemicalsubstrate to enhance the triboelectric charge of a plastic but this isnot done with a chemical reaction. The chemical treatment referred to isthe selection of a substrate or “the separation liquid is selected”.This invention does not use a chemical reaction to alter the molecularstructure of any substance.

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,679 Kreisler—Method for recovering andseparating metals from waste streams. The chemical agents in thisinvention are employed to promote binding of metals together but doesnot alter the molecular structure of the metals. Oxidizing agents andreducing agents are used to degrade or decompose organic compounds andchelating agents, respectively. This invention would only separatemetals and would not do so by altering the molecular structure.Degrading or decomposing a substance is not separating that substancefrom another. Organic compounds are destroyed and cannot be separatedwith this invention. The binding of the metals is done by promoting theionic bonding among all the metals in the waste stream and this does notalter the molecular structure of the metals. Altering the molecularstructure of a substance means that at least one atom is either removedor added to the molecule. There is not a method or process that usesorganic chemical reaction or organic synthesis to alter the molecularstructure of a substance so that a mechanical method of separation canbe used to successfully separate one substance from other substances.U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,867 Jody, et al.—Method for the separation of highimpact polystyrene(HIPS) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS)plastics. This invention is restricted to separating 2 substances thathave a specific gravity greater than but near 1.0. There must be aspecific surface tension range and certain pH range. The inventiontreats the surface of the HIPS plastic with an acid and water solutionto cause air bubbles to adhere more to the surface of HIPS plastics thanto ABS. These air bubbles act as “buoys” that float the HIPS plastics tothe top of the water on specific gravity flotation and the ABS remainson the bottom. The invention does not use an organic chemical reactionto alter the molecular structure of HIPS or ABS. The air bubblesadhering to the surface of a substance do not alter the molecularstructure of that substance.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0019] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:

[0020] A) The ability to chemically create a molecular characteristicthat will differentiate the substance from other substances for thepurpose of separating the substance from the other substances.

[0021] B) The ability to chemically enhance or dampen a molecularcharacteristic that will differentiate the substance from othersubstances for the purpose of separating the substance from the othersubstances.

[0022] C) A variety of different mechanical methods of separation can beused to separate any substance. An organic chemical reaction or a seriesof chemical reactions can be chosen to chemically alter the molecularstructure to allow any one of the mechanical methods of separation to beused. Specific gravity or density flotation, screening, magneticseparation, electrostatic techniques, separation, semi-permeablemembrane, etc. . . can be used depending on the requirements of thespecific industry.

[0023] D) The ability to separate both a contaminant-product mixture ora product-product mixture. There is an organic chemical reaction thatalters the molecular structure of the product and then a mechanicalseparation is accomplished. Another organic chemical reaction can beemployed to change or regenerate the molecular structure back to theoriginal state prior to mechanical separation.

[0024] E) The ability to separate a substance but not degrade, decomposeand/or destroy the substance. This way a product-product mixture can beseparated and both products are candidates for recycling.

[0025] F) The ability to separate a substance by a mechanical methodthat was not previously possible by chemically altering the molecularsubstance so that the mechanical method of separation is then possible.

[0026] G) The ability to vary the organic chemical reactions and themechanical methods of separation.

[0027] H) The invention is not restricted to separating just organicsubstances or just inorganic (metal) substances.

[0028] I) The invention is the only current way to separate cellulosefrom low density plastic successfully.

[0029] J) The invention has a great deal of variation due to the numberof mechanical methods of separation available to select from andnumerous organic chemical reactions available from which to select.

[0030] K) The variations of the invention can continue to expand asother mechanical methods are invented, as other organic chemicalreactions are discovered and other organic chemical reagents arecreated.

[0031] L) Known organic chemical reactions can be postponed orinterrupted in mid reaction to employ a mechanical method of separation.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032]FIG. 1 shows a general overview of the invention that includes themajor steps required in the method of separation.

[0033]FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention that includes a methodfor separation of cellulose from low density plastics.

[0034]FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention that includes a methodfor separation of cellulose from low density plastics by timing thedifferent rates of descent of the altered cellulose and some alteredplastics.

[0035]FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention that has the leastnumber of steps for a method of separation of cellulose from low densityplastics.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0036]100 Substance to be separated from other substances

[0037]102 Organic chemical reaction to alter the molecular structure ofat least one substance

[0038]104 The substance(s) is separated from one or more substances by amechanical method of separation

[0039]200 Cellulose(paper) to be separated from low density plastics

[0040]202 Friedel-Craft alkylation reaction with a high density carbonchain alters the molecular structure and the specific gravity ofplastics with a Benzene ring

[0041]204 Altered Benzene ring plastics sink in added water on specificgravity flotation

[0042]206 Altered Benzene ring plastics are separated fromcellulose-plastic mixture by a specific gravity separation device

[0043]208 The cellulose-plastic mixture is treated with a high densityKetone that is catalyzed with an acid that bonds the high density Ketoneto the cellulose

[0044]210 Altered high density cellulose sinks in added water onspecific gravity flotation

[0045]212 Altered high density cellulose is separated from the plasticmixture by a specific gravity separation device

[0046]214 Water is drained from the altered high density cellulose.Adding an acid catalyst removes the high density Ketone and reconstructsthe cellulose to the original molecular structure

[0047]300 A high density Ketone is added to the cellulose-plasticmixture and is catalyzed with an acid to bond the high density Ketone tothe cellulose and to the Alcohol plastics

[0048]302 Altered high density cellulose and altered high densityAlcohol plastics sink in added water on specific gravity flotation

[0049]304 Altered high density cellulose and altered high densityAlcohol plastics are separated from low density plastics by a specificgravity separation device

[0050]306 Altered high density cellulose sinks faster on specificgravity flotation and is separated from altered high density Alcoholplastics by timing the different rates of descent, then skimming off theslower altered high density Alcohol plastics leaving the altered highdensity cellulose

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0051] The invention requires that at least one organic chemicalreaction be used to alter the molecular structure of a substance so thata mechanical method or means of separation can be used to cause theseparation of one substance from another substance or many substances. Amechanical method of separation is a method of separation that usesdiffering physical characteristics of substances to physically changethe place or the position of substances that removes or isolates themfrom a combination or a mixture absent any chemical reaction. Theorganic chemical reaction alters the molecular structure by adding atleast one atom to the molecule of a substance or subtracting at leastone atom from the molecule of a substance. The organic chemical reactioncauses a molecular alteration and a physical characteristic alterationof the substance that allows a mechanical means of separation to be usedthat would have been too inefficient or otherwise impossible to use.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0052]FIG. 1 shows a general overview of the invention. A substance tobe separated from other substances 100. An organic chemical reaction toalter the molecular structure of a substance 102 is used to prepare thesubstance for separation. Then the substance(s) is separated from one ormore substances by a mechanical method of separation 104.

[0053]FIG. 2 shows a specific example of the invention. Cellulose(paper) to be separated from low density plastics 200. The Friedel-Craftalkylation reaction with a high density carbon chain alters themolecular structure and the specific gravity of plastics with a Benzenering 202. Altered Benzene ring plastics sink in added water on specificgravity flotation 204. The altered Benzene ring plastics are separatedfrom cellulose-plastic mixture by a specific gravity separation device206. The cellulose-plastic mixture is treated with a high density Ketonethat is catalyzed with an acid that bonds the high density Ketone to thecellulose 208. The altered high density cellulose sinks in added wateron specific gravity flotation 210. Altered high density cellulose isseparated from plastic mixture by a specific gravity separation device212. Water is drained from the altered high density cellulose. Adding anacid catalyst removes the high density Ketone and reconstructs thecellulose to the original molecular structure 214.

[0054]FIG. 3 shows a specific example of the invention that modifies thespecific gravity flotation and requires only 2 organic chemicalreactions. Cellulose(paper) to be separated from low density plastics200. A high density Ketone is added to the cellulose-plastic mixture andis catalyzed with an acid to bond the high density Ketone to thecellulose and to the Alcohol plastics 300. Altered high densitycellulose and altered high density Alcohol plastics sink in added wateron specific gravity flotation 302. Altered high density cellulose andaltered high density Alcohol plastics are separated from low densityplastics by a specific gravity separation device 304. Altered highdensity cellulose sinks faster on specific gravity flotation and isseparated from the altered high density Alcohol plastics by timing thedifferent rates of descent skimming off the slower altered high densityAlcohol plastics leaving the altered high density cellulose 306. Wateris drained from the altered high density cellulose. Adding an acidcatalyst removes the high density Ketone and reconstructs the celluloseto the original molecular structure 214.

[0055] The paper making industry would probably not use the exact stepsshown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. The paper making industry does not use aspecific gravity separation tank because they work with flow whichrequires a hydrocyclone device. This device is a specific gravityseparator that uses a great centrifugal force to throw the highdensity(greater than 1.0 specific gravity) material to the sides andleaves the low density(less than 1.0 specific gravity) material in thecenter. This device is not as effective as a separation tank when a rateof descent timing is needed. The part of the paper making industry thatuses virgin wood and no recycled pulp will use the example shown in FIG.4. Cellulose (paper) to be separated from low density plastics 200. Thecellulose-plastic mixture is treated with a high density Ketone that iscatalyzed with an acid that bonds the high density Ketone to thecellulose 208. Altered high density cellulose sinks in added water onspecific gravity flotation 210. Altered high density cellulose isseparated from plastic mixture by a specific gravity separation device212. Water is drained from the altered high density cellulose. Adding anacid catalyst removes the high density Ketone and reconstructs thecellulose to the original molecular structure 214.

[0056] The steps shown in FIG. 4 are specifically designed for anycellulose separation that does not have Alcohol plastic contaminantssuch as epoxy resin in the mixture. Paper made from virgin wood shouldhave no need to remove any Alcohol plastics or any Benzene ring plasticsof which epoxy resins are included in both groups. Epoxy resins couldpose a problem when recycled paper is used to make paper. Epoxy resin issometimes used in laminated paper but epoxy resin is a thermoset thatcannot be recycled so either FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 can be used to separatecellulose if epoxy resins are present.

[0057] All paper-making, either virgin or recycled, will use a specificgravity separation device to separate low density materials (cellulose)from high density materials. The invention then can be used as shown inFIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 to alter the molecular structure of asubstance (particularly cellulose) by using an organic chemicalreaction. The specific gravity is altered so that low density materialscan be separated from other low density materials using the economicalspecific gravity method. Cellulose transformed temporarily into a highdensity substance can be separated from the low density materials.Another organic chemical reaction reconstructs the cellulose back intothe original structure. A high density Aldehyde can be used in place ofthe high density Ketone.

[0058] A secondary ramification of this method is that altering themolecular structure of cellulose by bonding a molecule or moleculestemporarily to the glucose molecules in the cellulose this way canremove a portion of the lignin from the cellulose, in the virgin woodpaper making process. This can lead to a “brighter” paper product onbleaching or could remove the need to use a strong oxidizing agent inthe bleaching process of virgin pulpwood. If a strong oxidizing agentsuch as chlorine dioxide is not used acid groups will not be formed onthe cellulose and there will be no need to remove these acid groupslater in the process. The acid groups cause the paper formed to be acidpaper and this paper breaks down faster than alkaline paper does. Thepart of the method which removes the temporarily bound molecules fromthe cellulose reconstructs the cellulose to it's original molecularstate which is an alkaline state. The method could allow the virginpulpwood paper makers to use a mild oxidizing agent for bleaching oreven remove the need for any oxidizing agent which would mean not havingto deal with acid groups on the cellulose ever again.

[0059] Separating low density plastics from other low density plasticsor high density plastics from other high density plastics can use thesame principles. Low density Ketones can be separated from other lowdensity plastics by adding a high density Alcohol with an acid catalyst.This bonds the high density Alcohol to the low density Ketone creating ahigh density Hemiketal. The new high density Hemiketal is separated by aspecific gravity separation device. Water is drained from the highdensity Hemiketal, adding an acid catalyst removing the high densityAlcohol and reconstructing the low denity Ketone. These same steps canbe used with high density Ketones by adding a super high density Alcoholthat is catalyzed with an acid that bonds the super high density Alcoholto the high density Ketones. This forms a super high density Hemiketalthat sinks rapidly in separation tank. These super high densityHemiketals will sink much faster than poly(vinyl-chloride) PVC.Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a Ketone that can be separated fromPVC in this manner. PET is the most marketable form of plastic bottlerecycling and PVC interferes with PET separation because their specificgravity is nearly identical. PVC is a contaminant and unless it isremoved from PET will make it impossible to recycle PET. One bottle ofPVC can contaminate an entire ton of PET.

[0060] To be able to recycle any substance, the ability to separate itfrom other substances is essential. The major deterrent to all recyclingtoday both paper and particularly plastic is the difficulty withseparation. It is currently too difficult or impossible to separate alot of the recyclable materials. The separation problem must be solvedso that recycling at a high level is both possible and economical.Otherwise, recycling will stagnate or recede from the current levels andthe cost to the environment is too great to allow this trend tocontinue.

[0061] The recycling industry must currently separate out the plastic byhand when plastic is mixed in with paper. Evidence is clear that paperand plastic separation is inefficient. The paper making industry doesnot allow employees to bring plastic on the mill sites because there isno effective method of separating paper from low density plastic. Theinvention provides an economical solution to separating the cellulose(paper) from the plastic contaminants or plastics to be recycled.

[0062] The new invention is flexible and can be used to separate aproduct-product mixture of plastic-paper for recycling orplastic-plastic mixture for recycling. Recycling requires that any ofthe plastics altered will have to be regenerated or reconstructed. Theinvention can do this by selecting different reactions or changing theorder of the reactions used in the plastic-cellulose separation for thepaper making industry. Specific gravity is the preferred method ofseparation because it is economical and no other method offers anygreater effectiveness, but other mechanical methods of separation can beused such as magnetic attraction. Magnetic separation can work only ifthe substance has a iron, cobalt or nickel content. If an organiccompound does not contain one of these metals then magnetic separationis useless. The previous examples have demonstrated how another organiccompound can be bonded to a substance using an organic chemical reactionto alter the molecular structure. The organic compound can be anorganometallic compound which is an organic compound that contains ametal. The metal can be either iron, cobalt or nickel and the neworganometallic compound formed will have a magnetic attraction that willallow magnetic separation of the organometallic compound. At that timethe reconstructing of the molecule can take place.

[0063] The invention is versatile in that it can use innumerable organicreactions and multiples of these reactions to alter the molecularstructure of a substance. The invention can use a number of mechanicalmethods of separation and multiples of these methods to accomplish thegoal of separating a substance from others. The organic chemicalreactions and mechanical methods can be mixed and matched to suit theseparation. The invention can add or subtract organic chemical reactionsto get the desired result. The invention can add or subtract mechanicalmethods to get the desired result. The requirements are that at leastone organic chemical reaction be used to alter the molecular structureof at least one substance. At least one mechanical method is used toseparate the molecularly altered substance from the other substance.

[0064] The ramifications of the invention are that there is now aneconomical method to separate cellulose from low density plastics. Thereis a method to separate some low density plastics from other low densityplastics, and a method to separate some high density plastics from otherhigh density plastics. There is greater capability to separate allsubstances from other substances despite what similar physicalcharacteristics they may all possess in the beginning.

[0065] While my above description contains many specifications, theseshould not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,but rather as an exemplification of some of the preferred and knownembodiments of the invention. Many other variations are possible, suchas using an organic chemical reaction with an acid catalyst to bond alarge polymer macromolecule to a small alcohol. The newly formedmacromolecule is created so that it cannot pass through a semi-permeablemembrane while smaller molecules can pass through the semi-permeablemembrane. Once separation is complete, the acid catalyst is added andthe polymer macromolecule is removed thus reconstructing the smallalcohol. All the variations of this invention are innumerable and yetunknown. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determinednot by the embodiment(s) illustrated, but by the appended claims andtheir legal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of separating a substance or substancesfrom one or more substances using at least one organic chemical reactionto alter the molecular structure of substances by adding at least oneatom to the molecular structure of substances or subtracting at leastone atom from the molecular structure of substances and said substanceor substances is separated from one or more substances by a mechanicalmeans of separation, comprising; said substance or substances to beseparated from one or more substances, said at least one organicchemical reaction that alters the molecular structure of substances byadding at least one atom to the molecular structure of substances orsubtracting one atom from the molecular structure of substances, saidmechanical means of separation that uses differing physicalcharacteristics of substances to physically change the place or theposition of substances that removes or isolates the substances from acombination or a mixture absent any chemical reaction, said substance orsubstances to be separated from one or more substances is in saidcombination or said mixture with one or more substances, saidcombination or said mixture that contains said substance or substancesto be separated from one or more substances is treated by said at leastone organic chemical reaction that alters the molecular structure ofsubstances by adding at least one atom to the molecular structure ofsubstances or by subtracting one atom from the molecular structure ofsubstances, said at least one organic chemical reaction alters themolecular structure of at least one substance in said combination orsaid mixture, the substance with the altered molecular structure isseparated from one or more substances in said combination or saidmixture by said mechanical means of separation that uses differingphysical characteristic of substances to physically change the place orposition of substances that removes or isolates substances from saidcombination or said mixture, said substance or substances are separatedfrom one or more substances by said mechanical means of separation.
 2. Amethod for separating an organic substance or organic substances fromone or more substances using at least one organic chemical reaction toalter the molecular structure of substances by adding at least one atomto the molecular structure of substances or by subtracting at least oneatom from the molecular structure of substances, the separation of saidorganic substance or organic substances is too inefficient or notpossible by a specific means of mechanical separation unless alterationof the molecular structure of at least one substance has taken place andsaid organic substance or organic substances are separated from one ormore substances by said specific means of mechanical separation,comprising; said organic substance or organic substances to be separatedfrom one or more substances by said specific means of mechanicalseparation that is not efficient enough or is impossible to accomplish,said at least one organic chemical reaction that alters the molecularstructure of substances by adding at least one atom to the molecularstructure of substances or subtracting at least one atom from themolecular structure of substances, said specific means of mechanicalseparation that uses differing physical characteristics of substances tophysically change the place or the position of substances that removesor isolates substances from a combination or a mixture absent anychemical reaction, said organic substance or organic substances to beseparated from one or more substances is in said combination or saidmixture with one or more substances, said combination or said mixturethat contains said organic substance or organic substances to beseparated from one or more substances is treated by said at least oneorganic chemical reaction that alters the molecular structure ofsubstances by adding at least one atom to the molecular structure ofsubstances or by subtracting at least one atom from the molecularstructure of substances, said at least one organic chemical reactionalters the molecular structure of at least one substance in saidcombination or said mixture, the substance with the altered molecularstructure is separated from one or more substances in said combinationor said mixture by said specific means of mechanical separation thatuses differing physical characteristics of substances to physicallychange the place or position of substances that removes or isolatessubstances from said combination or said mixture, said organic substanceor organic substances are separated from one or more substances by saidspecific mechanical means of separation that would have been tooinefficient or not possible by said specific means of mechanicalseparation unless alteration of the molecular structure of at least onesubstance had taken place.
 3. A method of separating cellulose from oneor more low density plastics using at least one or more organic chemicalreactions to alter the molecular structure of the cellulose and thealtered cellulose is separated from one or more low density plastics bya mechanical means of separation, comprising; a cellulose fiber orcellulose fiber group to be separated from one or more low densityplastics, at least one organic chemical reaction that alters themolecular structure of said cellulose fiber or cellulose fiber group, amechanical means of separation that uses differing physicalcharacteristics of substances to physically change the place or positionof substances that removes or isolates substances from a combination ora mixture absent any chemical reaction, said cellulose fiber orcellulose fiber group to be separated from one or more low densityplastics, said combination or said mixture that contains said cellulosefiber or cellulose fiber group to be separated from one or more lowdensity plastics is treated by said at least one organic chemicalreaction that alters the molecular structure of substances by adding atleast one atom to the molecular structure of substances or bysubtracting at least one atom from the molecular structure ofsubstances, said at least one organic chemical reaction alters themolecular structure of said cellulose fiber or cellulose fiber group insaid combination or said mixture, said cellulose fiber or cellulosefiber group with the altered molecular structure is separated from oneor more low density plastics in said combination or said mixture by saidmechanical means of separation that uses differing physicalcharacteristics of substances to physically change the place or positionof substances that removes or isolates substances from said combinationor said mixture.
 4. The method of claim 1 comprising, treating thesubstance with the altered molecular structure with another one or moreorganic chemical reactions that reconstructs the altered molecularstructure of the substance to the previous molecular structure prior toseparation by said mechanical means of separation.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 comprising, said mechanical means of separation that usesdiffering physical characteristics of substances to physically changethe place or the position of substances that remove or isolatessubstances from said combination or said mixture absent any chemicalreaction which includes but is not exclusive to means of screening,semi-permeable membrane, specific gravity flotation, electrostatictechniques, or magnetic attraction.
 6. The method of claim 1 comprising,the use of at least one mechanical means of separation prior to usingsaid at least one organic chemical reaction to alter the molecularstructure of substances and the substance with the altered molecularstructure is separated from one or more substances by said mechanicalmeans of separation.
 7. The method of claim 1 comprising, that separatesan organic substance or organic substances from one or more substancesby a specific mechanical means of separation that would be tooinefficient or not possible by said specific mechanical means ofseparation unless alteration of the molecular structure of at least onesubstance has taken place and said organic substance or organicsubstances are separated from one or more substances by said specificmechanical means of separation.
 8. The method of claim 2 comprising,treating the substance with the altered molecular structure with anotherone or more organic chemical reactions that reconstructs the alteredmolecular structure of the substance to the previous molecular structureprior to separation by said mechanical means of separation.
 9. Themethod of claim 2 comprising, said mechanical means of separation thatuses differing physical characteristics of substances to physicallychange the place or the position of substances that remove or isolatessubstances from said combination or said mixture absent any chemicalreaction which includes but is not exclusive to means of screening,semi-permeable membrane, specific gravity flotation, electrostatictechniques, or magnetic attraction.
 10. The method of claim 2comprising, the use of at least one mechanical means of separation priorto using said at least one organic chemical reaction to alter themolecular structure of substances and the substance with the alteredmolecular structure is separated from one or more substances by saidmechanical means of separation.
 11. The method of claim 2 comprising,that separates an organic substance or organic substances from one ormore substances by a specific mechanical means of separation that wouldbe too inefficient or not possible by said specific mechanical means ofseparation unless alteration of the molecular structure of at least onesubstance has taken place and said organic substance or organicsubstances are separated from one or more substances by said specificmechanical means of separation.
 12. The method of claim 3 comprising,treating the substance with the altered molecular structure with anotherone or more organic chemical reactions that reconstructs the alteredmolecular structure of the substance to the previous molecular structureprior to separation by said mechanical means of separation.
 13. Themethod of claim 3 comprising, said mechanical means of separation thatuses differing physical characteristics of substances to physicallychange the place or the position of substances that remove or isolatessubstances from said combination or said mixture absent any chemicalreaction which includes but is not exclusive to means of screening,semi-permeable membrane, specific gravity flotation, electrostatictechniques, or magnetic attraction.
 14. The method of claim 3comprising, the use of at least one mechanical means of separation priorto using said at least one organic chemical reaction to alter themolecular structure of said cellulose fiber or cellulose fiber group andsaid cellulose fiber or cellulose fiber group with the altered molecularstructure is separated from one or more substances by said mechanicalmeans of separation.
 15. The method of claim 3 comprising, thatseparates an organic substance or organic substances from one or moresubstances by a specific mechanical means of separation that would betoo inefficient or not possible by said specific mechanical means ofseparation unless alteration of the molecular structure of at least onesubstance has taken place and said organic substance or organicsubstances are separated from one or more substances by said specificmechanical means of separation.
 16. The method of claim 3 comprising,bonding a high density molecule to said cellulose fiber or cellulosefiber group which increases the specific gravity of said cellulose fiberor cellulose fiber group and the new cellulose fiber or cellulose fibergroup is separated by specific gravity flotation and after separationthe new cellulose fiber or cellulose fiber group is treated with an acidwhich reconstructs the said cellulose fiber or cellulose fiber group tothe original molecular structure and original specific gravity.
 17. Themethod of claim 3 comprising, using an organic chemical reaction to bonda molecule or molecules to said cellulose fiber or cellulose fiber chainthat removes lignin from said cellulose fiber or cellulose fiber chainwithout forming an acid group on said cellulose fiber or cellulose fiberchain.